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How to decide between a fabric or leather sofa

Shopping for a new couch can bring about a number of questions. One of the most common questions people ask when shopping for a new couch is whether they want a fabric or leather sofa.

Your couch plays a core role in the style and feel of your home so it is a big decision to be made and is often a large investment as well. Not only is it often the centre piece of your living space but you always want to be able to enjoy sitting or lying on your couch. It needs to be something that you are drawn too, something that expresses comfort.

Fabric sofas

Fabric couches will create a really inviting atmosphere in your living space and can be easily suited to your current interior décor. There is a lot of variety when it comes to the fabric couches with various patterns, colours and softness available.

In most instances, it is recommended that a little bit more is spent on a fabric couch than otherwise to ensure that it is able to last. You want to be investing in a high-quality material that will be able to last you a long time and won’t wear down too quickly.

Animals, children and allergies are the final things to consider when it comes to a fabric couch. Animals can impact on the durability of the couch with their fur and claws potentially damaging the fabric if not trained. Small children will also likely reduce the durability. If you do have allergies, dust particles are more likely to gather in the fabric compared to a leather sofa so this should also be considered.

Maintenance of fabric sofas

When it does come to maintenance, fabric couches will need a little more attention in comparison to a leather couch. However, they are relatively easy to clean with soap and water or purchase a special couch cleaner for a deeper clean. It is also recommended that you spray with a stain protector before use to guard against any unwanted marks.

Styling your fabric sofa

With so many options available for fabric couches, it can be a little hard deciding on the pattern, colour and type of fabric that you want to go with. It is probably wise to keep it simple as patterns can often go out of style and you don’t want to be buying a new couch every couple of years. Stick to plain colours that are flexible with a range of décor.

Leather sofas

Leather sofas, in general, are more durable than a standard fabric couch and will continue to hold their shape for many years. Cleaning of leather sofas is also really simple as stains won’t tend to get stuck into them if they are cleaned immediately.

For those with allergies, this may be the preferred option as they don’t hold the dust and other particles as much as a fabric couch.

Many people will often ask if a leather sofa is colder in winter and the answer is not as clear cut as many would hope. The leather sofa will reflect the room temperature so if the room is cold it will be cold to touch. However, once you are on the couch and under a blanket it can often be warmer than a fabric couch as it holds the heat better.

Maintenance

When it comes to maintaining the leather, it is important that it does receive some occasional attention. Wiping it down with a wet cloth and moisturising the couch will ensure that it keeps its shape and continues to look as good as when you bought it.

Styling your leather sofa

As with styling your fabric couch, you want to keep the colours and patterns simple so that it will last for years to come. A leather sofa will often add a sleek feature to a room making it stand out and this is why you want to opt for more neutral colours. However, there is still a broad range of colours available to suit any room.